He told French sports broadcaster beIN Sport: "Mancini has shown a little proof of bad faith when he said he wanted to punch me.

"I've not had a good season, I know it, I'm aware of that. I am the first to be self-critical. But it's not true that I'm playing at 50 per cent.

"I think the coach still doesn't handle English very well and sometimes uses expressions that aren't really suitable."

Nasri took a further swipe at Mancini by expressing his belief that Arsene Wenger is the best coach he has worked with during his career.

"Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I've worked with," added Nasri. "If I'd worked with Wenger at Manchester City, maybe I would have avoided some problems.

"Arsene Wenger is the one who understood me most, with whom I had the greatest affinity. I'm very grateful to him as he signed me after perhaps my worst season at Marseille when I had a bout of meningitis. He played a huge role in my career."